IRIS joins other Canadians and Indigenous communities in acknowledging the horrific and unimaginable loss that has come to light with the unmarked buried remains of 215 children found at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. While shocking and painful, it is not surprising. Canada’s history and ongoing legacy of genocide against Indigenous peoples and communities is witnessed yet again in this tragic reality; one that we expect lies in wait at many former sites of residential schools.

We pause today to remember and to mourn. We are reflecting on how we can grow our solidarity with Indigenous peoples and communities, and be guided by their leadership. We remain dedicated to confronting and transforming colonialism, ableism, racism, sexism and other marginalizing structures and practices that so deeply affect the lives of all Canadians and our communities.